This Partner Label release is distributed through Vinegar Syndrome's sister company OCN Distribution. Vinegar Syndrome had no part in, nor are responsible for, the restoration, extras, quality control or any content(s) of this release. We hope you enjoy our growing roster of Partner Labels and the expertise and curation brought to each release by their dedicated staff!
Details
This special limited edition spot gloss slipcover (designed by Tony Stella) is limited to 2,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Founded in 2002 as one of the first-ever subscription film services with its DVD-of-the-Month Film Club, FilmMovement is now a North American distributor of award-winning independent and foreign films based in New York City. In 2015, FilmMovement launched the reissue label FilmMovement Classics featuring new restorations released theatrically as well as on home video, with an emphasis on films by auteur directors such as Eric Rohmer, Peter Greenaway and Takeshi Kitano.
Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee, SHANGHAI TRIAD is a thrilling and sumptuously stylized potboiler about the Chinese criminal underworld of the 1930's from legendary director Zhang Yimou (Raise the Red Lantern, House of Flying Daggers).
Hired to be a servant to pampered nightclub singer and mob moll Xiao Jinbao (Gong Li, Ju Dou, Farewell My Concubine), naive teenager Shuisheng (Wang Xiaoxiao) is thrust into the glamorous and deadly demimonde of Shanghai’s crime syndicates. Over the course of seven days, Shuisheng observes mounting tensions as triad boss Tang begins to suspect traitors amongst his ranks and rivals for Xiao Jinbao’s affections. Zhang’s inventive take on the gangster film is “assured and attention-grabbing” (Variety) and Gong’s central performance, “a portrait of a capricious and indulgent woman who gains depth as we watch her -- is one of her finest” (Chicago Tribune).
directed by: Zhang Yimou starring: Li Gong, Baotian Li, Xiaoxiao Wang 1995 / 108 min / 1.85:1 / Mandarin DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
Trouble in Shanghai video essay by author Grady Hendrix
Booklet with new essay by film critic and lecturer John Berra
English subtitles
Overall rating: 4.757576 / 5 from 99 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition spot gloss slipcover for the film Shanghai Triad, designed by Tony Stella, is praised for its beautiful release, captivating performances, and stunning cinematography. Customers appreciate the well-packaged and visually appealing product, which enhances the experience of this thrilling and stylish film from director Zhang Yimou.
Summary topics
Packaging Quality (16%): A significant number of customers remarked that the release of the film was beautiful and well-packaged.
Thrill Factor (6%): Customers keep praising the thriller, describing it as a great thrill ride over one week's time.
Visual Appeal (7%): Customers expressed satisfaction with the looks of the product, stating that it looks beautiful and great.
Acting Quality (10%): It was reported by customers that the performances in this product are brilliant and captivating, drawing you deeply into the intricate web of crime and power.
Cinematography (7%): Customers expressed appreciation for the beautifully shot film, describing it as gorgeously shot and capturing the vibrant and dangerous world of 1930s Shanghai.
"Each shot is beautifully composed, capturing the vibrant and dangerous world of 1930s Shanghai." — Ferdinand G.
"The movie looks great." — Mark P.
"This film is gorgeously shot." — Ben. Z.
Reviews
Man, You Don't Stand A Chance
"The slipcover is awesome, as always with anything VS or their awesome partner Labels release! It is a cool movie that was a lot of fun to watch! I always love the unique VS service of allowing you to stack as many movies as you like in your cart during any release period and ship them for free! The peerless VS restoration process was on full display with stellar sound and picture! Thank you, VS, for continuing to lovingly restore and release so many wonderful films from every conceivable genre! You are keeping physical media alive in this streaming world we now live in! Highly recommended!"
— Paul K. (5/5)
Shanghai Triad Review
"As always fantastic release by Vinegar Syndrome with some fantastic extras new shiny release and as always fantasic slipcover that looks fantastic."
— Philip G. (5/5)
Shanghai Triad
"Mid 90’s film about criminal underworld. Recommend highly this release. Great cover art as well."
— Aaron P. (5/5)
Rules of the Triad
"Shanghai Triad is one of Zhang Yimou’s most visually controlled and thematically restrained works, set within the shadowy world of 1930s Shanghai crime. The story unfolds through the eyes of a young servant who becomes entangled in the life of a powerful mob boss and his enigmatic mistress, played by Gong Li. Rather than focusing on overt violence, the film builds tension through atmosphere, hierarchy, and quiet menace, revealing the rigid power structures and emotional isolation that define life within the criminal underworld. The Blu-ray release from Film Movement presents the film with a refined and faithful transfer that highlights its carefully composed cinematography and rich use of color. The presentation allows the subtle performances and deliberate pacing to shine, offering a more immersive experience than older formats. As part of Film Movement’s catalog, the release emphasizes thoughtful curation, bringing attention to an internationally acclaimed title while making it accessible in a high-quality format for both collectors and those discovering Zhang Yimou’s work for the first time."
— Jaume M. (5/5)
Entertaining crime drama
"Very entertaining drama release mostly about gangster life in early twentieth century China. This title was not on my radar and I was pleasantly surprised. Comes with nifty artwork and handful of cool extras."
— Kresh R. (4/5)
Must have
"Great performances, excellent release."
— Paulo A. (5/5)
Give it a triad
"a breathtakingly stylized, opulent 1930s crime potboiler directed by the legendary Zhang Yimou and starring the incomparable Gong Li"
— Kevin G. (5/5)
The second best Shanghai title in the FMC line
"Excellent shipping experience. The items were packed with professional-grade materials, including a sturdy outer box and ample bubble wrap. Everything arrived in flawless, mint condition. It’s refreshing to see a company put this much care into their fulfillment process. A great movie with some interesting themes. I definitely was on the edge of my seat wondering who was going to survive to the end through most of the second act."
— Jeremy A. (5/5)
Seven Nights of voyeurism in Shanghai !
"A great blind buy. I truly enjoyed this. The cinematography was gorgeous. The story, based on Chinese writer, Li Xiao's 1994 novel (Rules of a Clan - 门规), was solid and the picture and sound quality great. Wish there were more Extras, but overall a good purchase that grabbed my attention from the beginning to the end. Highly recommended."
— Dennis B. (5/5)
True Shanghai Glory!
"Beautifully shot piece of cinema restored to perfection. A great movie for fans of vintage Asian cinema. Highly recommended!"
— Anders A. (5/5)
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